I wanted to make this update about visual learning because I consider myself as visual thinker and learner. I have always enjoyed doing mind maps and during my final exams in high school I actually covered my room walls with paper so I could doodle while I was reading textbooks. In my work I also emphasize the power of visuals in eLearning and enjoy making graphic design based on course texts.

Visual learning is a learning style where the learner better understands and retains information when ideas, words and concepts are associated with images, graphs, charts, maps and diagrams. It is one of the three basic types of learning styles in the Fleming VAK/VARK model that also includes kinesthetic learning and auditory learning. The term ‘‘learning styles’’ refers to the concept that individuals differ in regard to what mode of instruction or study is most effective for them. Proponents of learning-style assessment contend that optimal instruction requires diagnosing individuals’ learning style and tailoring instruction accordingly. The most common—but not the only—hypothesis about the instructional relevance of learning styles is the meshing hypothesis, according to which instruction is best provided in a format that matches the preferences of the learner.

VAK/VARK model

Although learning style approach has been popular, there is little research that says a student will learn ‘more’ if taught ‘their way’–especially if all students are ultimately assessed the same way in the end. Rather than targeting instruction to the "right" learning style, students appear to benefit most from mixed modality presentations, for instance using both auditory and visual techniques for all students. But that doesn’t mean that learning modalities aren’t real. Processing new information in different ways has different effects on how we understand that information. We might benefit from seeing something first, then touching it next, then listening to someone explain it, then seeing it again, and so on. As explained also in this course's video, learning in multiple ways reinforces knowledge. We learn through the process of switching from one mode to another. Visual teaching modalities lead to deeper, more conceptual learning since visuals can provide the “big picture” as to how concepts are related. Visuals also promote longer retention and easier retrieval of information. Visuals help students understand, compel them to feel emotion, and give them a visual anchor to recall ideas. There are nowadays many visual learning tools available for teachers and students to use.

References:

Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence, Harold Pashler, Mark McDaniel, Doug Rohrer, and Robert Bjork

Wikipedia - Visual learning

50 Ideas And Resources For More Visual Learning

https://blog.prezi.com/the-four-different-types-of-learners-and-what-they-mean-to-your-presentations-infographic/